Frankie Edgar

UFC lightweight champion Frankie Edgar will look to make his next title defense in Japan on Feb. 26, 2012.

Sources close to the fighter’s camp confirmed to MMAWeekly.com that Edgar will likely appear in the main event on the card set to happen at Saitama Super Arena for the UFC’s return card to Japan.

MMAWeekly.com first reported the UFC’s return to Japan over the summer, and now it looks like they have at least one piece for their main event fight.

While no opponent has been set in stone, it’s likely that the winner in the fight this weekend between Benson Henderson and Clay Guida at UFC on Fox 1 will get the shot at Edgar’s title.

Obviouisly, the health of either Henderson or Guida would play into the ultimate decision of who ends up in the fight, but all signs point towards Edgar appearing on the card regardless.

Edgar last fought at UFC 136 in early October where he defended his title against Gray Maynard, finishing his longtime rival with strikes to retain his belt.

The New Jersey native will now make his first appearance in Japan in the UFC’s long awaited return to the land of the rising sun.

UFC officials have been hesitant to call Henderson vs. Guida a No. 1 contender’s match, but with Strikeforce champion Gilbert Melendez locked up in that promotion, the winner of the fight this weekend at UFC on Fox 1 would be the most likely contender.

MMAWeekly.com will have more information on the UFC Japan card when it becomes available.

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